Michael Kalil (1943-1991) was an interior architect, philosopher, educator and artist, known for his innovative work with new materials and for humanizing digital technologies. From 1981 to 1991, he was the principal of Kalil Designs/Kalil Studio, a firm that specialized in high profile commercial, prototype and theoretical, and residential design commissions. Kalil also was an adjunct faculty member at the Parsons School of Design, and taught at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The collection includes Kalil's personal and professional papers, including original artwork, sketchbooks, journals, photographs, project records, architectural drawings, photoprints and sketches, design prototypes, and posthumous materials.

Biographical note

Michael Thomas Kalil (1943-1991) was born in Lowell, Massachusetts and raised in Rochester, New York. Between 1962 and 1965, he studied theology at St. Basil’s Seminary in Methuen, Massachusetts while studying painting and sculpture at the nearby St. Anselm College. In 1965, Kalil left seminary, moved to New York City, and entered Pratt Institute to study design and architecture. In 1968, Kalil left Pratt prior to obtaining a degree, and instead found design-related employment with several of America’s leading designers and firms, including Ward Bennett (who became a life-long mentor and friend), Walter Dorwin Teague and Associates, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. During this time, Kalil also traveled the U.S., South America and Mexico, and developed an aesthetic sense informed by pre-Columbian and non-Western architecture, classically derived principles of form, and modernist design. In 1972, Kalil immersed himself in the arts of stone carving, metalwork and weaving during a nine-week residency at Skowhegan.

During the 1970s, Kalil supported himself as a decorative arts object designer and by taking on interior architectural design commissions (including remodeling apartments in the building he lived in). He also launched his career as a design educator. In 1973, he was hired as an adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design, and he also taught at the New York School of Interior Design. In 1979, along with Giuseppe Zambonini, Kalil founded the Open Atelier of Architecture in the downtown warehouse district of Tribeca. The Open Atelier was an innovative, non-accredited design school that presented an array of courses in the historical, theoretical and practical aspects of the design process. By 1981, Kalil had formally established his own interior architecture firm, Kalil Designs (re-named Kalil Studio in the mid-1980s). As principal and self-styled "space engineer," Kalil rapidly gained international recognition for his innovative work with mechanical and digital technologies and new materials, and for his rigorous application of harmonic proportions and "sacred geometry" to the interior spaces he designed. Among Kalil's clientele were Tiffany & Company, The Museum of Modern Art Strata Oil & Gas, Armstrong World Industries, Dunbar Furniture Company, and Synchronal Corporation. He also won numerous high-end residential commissions. Notable Kalil Studio colleagues, collaborators and associates include Peter Barna, Jean Gardner, Karyn Issa Ginsberg, Martin Spegiel, Nader Ardalan and Ton Alberts.

Many of the core design concepts that Kalil applied to his realized work were derived from a series of ongoing prototype and theoretical investigations (Elysian Fields I, II and III). These commissioned or independent projects were supported by grants, or by his commercial and residential projects. Prototype designs include an award-winning prototype of an automated office space for Armstrong World Industries, and a Space Station habitation module prototype (HM1) for NASA (1983-1986).

In the early 1980s, Kalil contacted NASA in an effort to research lightweight metals and robotic technologies applicable to his ideas regarding kinetic and modular interior spaces. NASA took an immediate interest in Kalil’s work and invited him and Martin Spiegel, a friend and colleague, to sit in at monthly Human Factors planning meetings in Washington D.C. This led to an invitation by Brian Kramer, NASA’s Director of Human Factors, for Kalil to give a presentation to NASA about his prototype work for Armstrong. Soon thereafter, Kalil Studio was invited to participate in a two-phase grant cycle directed by NASA engineer Marc Cohen to explore design solutions and produce a scale model prototype of living quarters aboard the International Space Station. During this project, Kalil, in close collaboration with design educator, artist and author, Jean Gardner, developed the notion of "quantum architecture"-- an integrative, "New Age", and postmodern theory-inflected thesis that addressed the physical, philosophical, and aesthetic implications of outer space exploration and its impact on the future of both zero-gravity and also terrestrial housing design.

In 1990, Kalil was invited by Jan McCarther, the Chair of the Department of Housing and Interior Design at UNCG, to lead an intensive two-week Honors Studio, in which selected students were given the opportunity to gain real-world experience by designing furniture prototypes for Brayton International and the Steelcase Partnership. This project continued into the spring of 1991. In addition to completing this project and despite the fact that Kalil was terminally ill, he also maintained a busy studio schedule until within only a couple of months of his death later that year.

The Michael Kalil Foundation is established.The Michael Kalil Endowment for Smart Design is established at Parsons School of Design.The exhibition, "Michael Kalil Retrospective: Designs for the 21st Century" is held at Parsons.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Michael Kalil papers consist of textual records, visual materials and artifacts from Kalil's life as an artist, designer, theorist, teacher, and principal of his commercial interior architecture studio. The majority of this collection represents the scope of Kalil’s professional activities between the years 1966 and 1991, and includes press clippings, administrative and project records, and hundreds of drawings, photoprints and sketches (axonometric, perspective, plans, elevations, sections, and details) generated during the course of commercial, prototype and theoretical and residential commissions undertaken by Kalil Designs/Kalil Studio. Kalil’s prototype of an automated office space for Armstrong Industries (1981-1983), and his prototype for Space Station Habitation Module (HM1) are particularly well represented. The collection also includes posthumous materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Processing Information note

Many of Kalil's project files were orignially housed in black, plastic, three-ring binders. These materials were rehoused during processing, but within project files it is still readily apparent which materials derive from the binders.

During the course of processing, two VHS tapes were digitized. See Kellen Design Archives archivist for access.

External Support

Related Materials

During the course of processing this collection the project archivist conducted a group and individual oral history interview with Jean Gardner, Karyn Issa Ginsberg, and Martin Speigel. (See Kellen Design Archives archivist for access.)

The scale model of the Space Habitation Module that Kalil Studio created for NASA's Ames Research Center can be found at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). MoMA also has twenty-five design development studies for the "Osmotic Membrane," and "Community Chamber," integral parts of the NASA module design, and one artist's file for Kalil.

Collection Inventory

This series consists of textual records and visual materials relating to Kalil's student years and lifelong artistic practice.

Title

Box

Folder

Correspondence, 1973-1987

1

1

Datebooks, 1974-1991

1

2-5

Face Accessory, 1971

24

Kalil created a laminated Mylar and brass face mask as part of a design assignment while attending Pratt. This piece was included in an exhibition, "Face Coverings," presented by the American Craft Council at the Musuem of Contemporary Crafts (September 30-January 3, 1971).

High school 25th anniversary reunion booklet, 1987

1

6

Title

Box

Paintings, (1-4), 1970-1971

Paintings 1 through 3 constitute a triptych; the other painting is a standalone work.

28

29

Photographs, 1979-1989

1

7

Realia, circa 1970-1991

27

Includes a linen tapestry with gold metalic thread (unknown if woven by Kalil), and a sampling of Kalil's artmaking and craft materials.

Title

Box

Folder

Sketchbooks and journals, 1970-1979

1

8-9

2

1-4

3

1-5

4

1

Title

Box

Folder

Sketches, poetry and notes, 1967-1983

4

2-6

OSx-1

1

OSx-1

2

Slides, 1966-1987

Kalil's apartment, 1971

4

7

Sculptures by Kalil, 1972-1987

5

1

Skowhegan, 1971

5

2

Travel, 1983-1984

5

3

Title

Box

Folder

Soundless Sound installation,1988

MC A 1

2

Sketches for the “Art of Sound” exhibition presented by RAMSA Interior Sound System by the Matsushita Communication Industrial Company (Panasonic), at Gallery 91, October 5-14, 1988.

This series consists of documents pertaining to Kalil's professional career and design activities that either pre-date the establishment of Kalil Designs, or were independent of his professional responsibilities as the principal of Kalil Designs/Kalil Studio.

Includes partnership contract drafts for "Fundamental Furnishings," a high-end furniture design business concept (unrealized) that may have been conceived by Alan Morton, who was a former client of Kalil (1973; 1984).

Grants, 1976-1977

7

6

Notes and manuscripts, 1976-1989

7

7-9

Includes a typewritten and illustrated document, "Quantum Architecture," by Jean Gardner and Michael Kalil.

Open Atelier brochures, 1978-1979

7

10

Research files, 1966-1991

8

1-2

Résumés, 1972-1990

8

3

Title

Box

Rolodex (1-2), 1981-1991

Contains contact information for colleagues, vendors, fabricators, furniture dealers and trade companies with whom Kalil may have worked or associated during the course of his professional design practice.

25

26

Slides, 1980-1989

8

4-8

35-mm reference and teaching images.

Store display and fashion industry, 1966

8

9

University of North Carolina, Greensboro, 1980-1990

Correspondence

8

10

Faculty retreat

8

11

Honors Studio: Notes and drafts of annual reports

8

12

Honors Studio: Slides of student work for catalog

8

13

Title

Box

Folder

Honors Studio: Steelcase-Brayton International Project, 1990

8

14

9

1

Mission statements

9

2

Notes

9

3

Photographs, slides and transparencies

9

4

Promotional materials: School of Human Environmental Sciences

9

5

Research materials

9

6

Seminar literature and notes

9

7

Slide lecture notes

9

8

Syllabi and workshop proposal

9

9

VHS tape 01: interviews

9

10

This VHS tape (digital access file: VHS-tape 01_interviews.mov) consists of footage of Kalil conducting the Honors Studio class as well as two separate interviews with Kalil. One of the interviews includes Alex Forsyth, a British furniture designer. Kalil discusses his teaching methodology and the current state of design education. Total running time: 1:15:59

VHS tape 02: Brayton International/ UNGC Honor Studio, 1990

9

10

This VHS tape (digital access file: VHS_tape-02_Kalil_promo.mov) consists of a looped, promotional video created in conjunction with the 1990 Honors Studio class. Appears to have been edited from exerpts derived from VHS tape 01. Total Running time: 12:12.

Includes prints and contact sheets from photographer John Naar for Naars's book,
Living in One Room (New York: Random House, 1976), Kalil with Beverly Russell and Guiseppe Zambonini, and a portrait of Kalil by Ken Skalski.

This series consists of material associated with specific Kalil Designs/Kalil Studio projects undertaken from 1981 to 1991. Project files may include correspondence, contracts, materials packages, drawings, photoprints, photographs and transparencies.

Of note in the Commercial records are files and visual materials for Kalil's first high profile corporate commission, Strata Oil and Gas (1981), consisting of an office space, signage and custom furniture for CEO Thomas Thorton.

Includes drawings by Peter Barna, who was lighting designer for the Elysian Fields II (Armstrong Room) project.

14

7

MC A 2

3-4

OSxxx-1

3

Tube 1

1

Photographs, slides and transparencies

14

8

Project files

14

9

Title

Box

Folder

Elysian Fields III: Community Chamber--Project files, 1979-1989

The Community Chamber was an integral facet of the NASA Space Habitation Module. In 1988 Kalil built a full-size model of this environment for display in an exhibtion, "The New Urban Landscape," held at the World Financial Center in New York City. Includes slides and transparencies of this installation.

14

10-11

15

1-2

Furniture partnerships, 1983-1988

15

2

International City, 1988-1989

15

3-4

Mondo Materials, 1989

15

5

NASA: Ames Research Center, 1983-1988

Documentation encompasses initial contacts with NASA's Collaborative Development Group (CDG), through the two- phase contract cycles with Ames Research Center. Included here are notes, correspondence and project reports, as well as outreach in pursuit of additional funding to continue NASA-inspired work on space habitation environments.

The 8 1/2 x 10 inch black and white photographs are credited to either Stan Reis or John Naar, and were probably taken between the years 1975-1980. The 4 x 5-inch photographs appear to be snapshots taken at an unidentified job site, probably from the mid-late 1980s.

1 East 67th Street penthouse

MC A 2

5

These photoprints are identified by address, but no client name is listed.

201 East 90th Street (triplex penthouse), 1976-1983

OSxxx-1

6

There is no client name listed on these materials.

Title

Box

Folder

307 East 76th Street renovation, 1976-1983

Includes materials associated with Kalil's collaboration with landlord John Pacci, Jr. to renovate apartments for the building Kalil lived in, and where his studio was located.

MC A 2

5-6

OSxxx-1

7

Tube 1

2

Title

Box

Folder

Condominium rehabilitation, 1985

Includes sets of photoprints by the contractors, Elkin Sabota Architects and Dean Marchetto, Architect. The Marchetto photoprints have Kalil tissue overlays. Kalil may have been a consultant on this project.

MC A 5

4

OSx-1

4

OSxxx-1

8

Title

Box

Folder

Decome, 1979

MC A 3

1

OSxxx-1

3

Title

Box

Folder

Esanu, 1983

MC A 3

2

OSxxx-1

4

Friedman bedroom, 1980

MC A 3

2

Title

Box

Folder

Giles bedroom, 1984

MC A 3

2

OSxxx-1

4

Ginsberg, 1981-1983

Karyn Issa Ginsberg was Kalil's studio assistant between the years 1981 and 1986. She collaborated with Kalil on this renovation of her personal residence in Connecticut.

Photographs by Adrienne DePolo

OSx-1

6

Project file

18

6

Includes printed scans from Polaroids returned to client.

Katsky: Central Park West, 1981-1986

Correspondence

18

7

Title

Box

Slot

Drawings, photoprints, sketches

Hive C

3

MC A 3

3

OSxxx-1

5

Tube 1

3

Materials book

18

8

Title

Box

Folder

Project files

18

9-10

19

1-5

Title

Box

Folder

Miller, circa 1985-1987

OSxxx-2

4

Kramer, 1981-1991

Title

Box

Slot

Drawings, sketches, photoprints

Hive C

4-6

MC A 3

3-6

OSx-1

7-9

OSx-2

1-6

OSxxx-1

6

OSxxx-2

3

Tube 2

1-4

Photographs, slides and transparencies

19

6

Title

Box

Folder

Project files

19

7-10

20

1-10

21

1-10

Title

Box

Folder

Morton, 1972-1987

21

10

Title

Box

Folder

Drawings, photoprints

Includes photoprints of the Morton residence by Frank B. Hollenbeck, Architect and other properties. Annotations likely by Kalil or a Kalil Studio associate.

MC A 5

5

MC A 5

6

OSxxx-2

1-2

Photographs, slides, transparencies

22

1

Project file

22

2

Title

Box

Folder

Saidenberg: Drawings, photoprints, sketches, 1989-1990

22

7

Hive C

7

MC A 4

1-3

OSx-3

1

OSxxx-2

5

Saidenberg: Project files, 1989-1990

22

5-6

Shudha table, 1980-1987

MC A 3

4

Smolev penthouse, 1983-1991

Correspondence

22

8

Title

Box

Folder

Drawings, photoprints, sketches

22

9

Hive C

8-9

MC A 4

4-8

OSx-3

2-6

Tube 1

4

Title

Box

Folder

Project files

Contains project files and correspondence from the Smolev penthouse renovation and Synchronal Corporation. Smolev was both a residential and commerical client of Kalil Studio.

Consists of foam core panels of reproduced photographs, original drawings and explanatory text for the Armstrong "Smart Pavillion", the NASA Space Station Habitation Module (HM1), "Evolution of Quantum Architecture" and "Rug for Threeing."